Chương 8: The Path Ahead and First Summoning

Yang Feng listened intently, his heart racing with nervous anticipation.

Can Teacher Sheng find a solution?

Is there any cultivation technique suitable for me?

That bastard Cody.

(Cody: Now why are you cursing me?)

Sheng Li took out a square jade plate engraved with intricate runes.

"Do you know what this is?" he asked.

Yang Feng shook his head quickly, confusion clear on his face.

Where is my cultivation technique?

Sheng Li explained, "This is called an information jade plate. It works like a memory card, but it can store writings and knowledge that are impossible to hold on a regular memory card or star nexus."

Yang Feng was puzzled. Why isn't Teacher Sheng talking about a cultivation technique?

Sheng Li seemed to read Yang Feng's thoughts and continued, "This is the first cultivation technique developed by the predecessors for Beast Tamers. You can use it as your cultivation technique."

Yang Feng frowned. But I'm a Beastmaster, why would I use a Beast Tamer's cultivation technique?

Sheng Li, seeing the confusion still lingering on Yang Feng's face, explained further. "It was created by a Beastmaster who transcended level 9. It's not a complete technique—more like a mold. But it has unlimited potential and can be shaped into something more suitable for you."

Yang Feng blurted out, "Is there a level above level 9?"

Sheng Li rolled his eyes and replied, "That's not the main point. The main point is that you can use this technique. This jade plate contains a formation that will put you in a state somewhere between conscious and unconscious—a state of pure chaos, like a fetus. You can use this state to mold the technique to suit your needs."

Yang Feng, feeling slightly embarrassed by his earlier outburst, remained quiet and listened carefully.

Before Yang Feng could agree to use the technique, Sheng Li added, "Don't be hasty. I'm not done yet."

"Once you start practicing this technique, you can't change it. You'll have to create your own path from there on."

Yang Feng fell into deep thought. Sheng Li had said enough. Now it was time for him to make a decision, as no one else could help him. Yang Feng thought through many possibilities, and, without realizing it, glanced at Cody in his heart. Determination flashed in his eyes.

If I can't even create my own path with this technique, how will I face the challenges ahead?

I has a hunch, With Cody by my side, there will be endless trouble. What's one more cultivation technique?

Yang Feng looked at Sheng Li, his decision clear. "Teacher Sheng, I've decided to use this technique."

Sheng Li smiled kindly. "Alright, it's your decision. I won't ask for your reasons."

"You can place the information jade plate on your forehead. Everything else will happen automatically. But before you continue, get rid of everything on your body." Sheng Li handed Yang Feng the jade plate.

Yang Feng's face turned red. "Even my clothes?"

"Yes," Sheng Li replied.

"All of them?" Yang Feng asked again.

"Yes, all of them," Sheng Li confirmed. Then, as if suddenly understanding Yang Feng's hesitation, he added, "Student Yang, I'm straight, so you don't have to worry. We're both men. I won't laugh."

Yang Feng's face turned even redder. After a long moment, he closed his eyes and removed his clothes and his Star Watch.

Once everything was off, he still refused to open his eyes out of embarrassment. He sat cross-legged, after carefully placing his belongings on a chair. Taking a deep breath, he placed the jade plate on his forehead.

Sheng Li stepped aside. When Yang Feng placed the plate on his forehead, Sheng Li flicked his finger.

A white light shot toward the jade plate and merged with it. The plate shone brightly, and Yang Feng felt a cool sensation spreading through his mind.

His thoughts cleared. One by one, everything faded away.

Suddenly, he found himself back in the trial space. He watched the events unfold before him, like a movie playing on repeat.

He saw it again. And again. And again.

(Cody: See? Even the trial was an opportunity, and I didn't even ask for a price. Hmph.")

Yang Feng went through the scene over and over for five hours straight.

After five hours, Cody flew out from Yang Feng's heart and hovered before him. If Yang Feng could see, he would have noticed that Cody appeared in its original cracked form. However, in Sheng Li's eyes, Cody manifested as the Nine Elements Divine Codex.

At this moment, the Codex opened. A chant appeared on its first left page:

Before the first breath, there was no name,

Only the Dao, an endless flame;

From the void, the darkest sea,

The One emerged, a mystery,

It swirled and spun, in darkest night,

Separating Yin and Yang, dark and light,

From its dance came metal and sea,

Raging Flame, earth and the ancient tree,

Dancing with joy, they fused as one,

Forming a Seed, from which Life Begun.

As the chant appeared, the space around Yang Feng trembled before quickly returning to normal.

Sheng Li, observing from the side, raised an eyebrow. This Celestial Relic is not as simple as Yang Feng said. There may be other secrets.

At the same time, a diagram of energy circulation appeared on the right page of the Codex. Energy gathered from all sides and entered Yang Feng's body, circulating as depicted in the diagram. It all happened involuntarily, as Yang Feng was still trapped in the trial loop.

As the energy completed a cycle and gathered in his heart, a spark flickered.

"Oh no, he's going to summon his first pet." Sheng Li was startled. Normally, summoning a pet required the help of an Evolver.

Since Sheng Li was also an Evolver, he waved both hands, summoning a white mist that sank to the ground and slowly merged with the formation. The formation started glowing and glow intensified as the mist continued to merge.

At that moment, the spark inside Yang Feng's heart flickered, as if it might die out at any second.

Cody trembled, its page turning to a blank one.

A suction force appeared, separating the spark into two. One part flew out of Yang Feng's heart and merged with Cody, while the other sank into Yang Feng's lower abdomen, rotating steadily.

A spark appeared on the page and slowly morphed into a door.

Just then Cody closed, a grey light appeared, merging with the formation.

From the formation, silk-like energy threads appeared and flew toward Yang Feng, merging to form the outline of a beast.

Five minutes later, the beast materialized in front of Yang Feng. A rune appeared on its forehead and merged with Cody.

"Don't!" Sheng Li shouted in alarm, but it was too late. A bond had formed between Yang Feng and the beast.

Sheng Li stood stunned—not because the beast had a powerful bloodline, but because…

It was lowest level possible...